Category: Union Territory

Pampore: Two case were presumed to be positive, one each and Chandhara (Pampore) and Chachkoot (Awantipora) today, and panic gripped these areas!

It is to inform everyone that both cases are Negative!

Today, Rapid Antibody Tests conducted on them showed signs of being weakly positive. Administration and Health authorities immediately swung into action and isolated the families/immediate contacts!! Repeat tests and further screening has revealed they are all fine!

Pertinently, their Swab Tests were found to be Negative last week!!
Families are returning to their homes.

– Tehsildar Pampore Ishtiyaq Mohidin on his Facebook Profile.

Srinagar: The female photojournalist who was booked for her objectionable Facebook posts under Unlawful Activities and Prevention Act (ULPA) was today questioned at Cyber police wing and later allowed to go home

“Since there is an FIR, questioning is part of the legal proceedings. She was questioned by the Investigating Officer (IO) concerned. She hasn’t been detained,” Superintendent of Police Cyber Police Wing Kashmir Tahir Ashraf told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

Earlier, the female journalist in her tweet had stated: “So wish me good luck because it’s time to defend my rights as a journalist. Going inside Cyber police station.”

Booking the female journalist under ULPA had evoked a sharp criticism from journalist fraternity of Kashmir including the Press Club. The press fraternity of Kashmir has demanded dropping of charges against the female journalist forthwith—(KNO)

‘Traders justify, Director FCS&CA says, ‘Will register an FIR against offenders’

Srinagar: Acute shortage of livestock due to the lockdown in Kashmir has led to a sharp rise in prices of mutton.

The meat eaters maintained that a kilogram of mutton which was sold at ₹500 to ₹550 has now been shot up to ₹600 to ₹700.As per the Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), the rate of motton per Kg is ₹400.

According to news agency KINS, the people here said that despite the thriving demand for meat in Kashmir, the price has left a hole in their pockets due to clampdown over coronavirus outbreak.

“Some mutton sellers who are able to sell mutton were found selling it at ₹600 to ₹700 a kg. A kilogram of mutton which I usually purchase at , ₹500 was sold me to ₹600,” Arslan Ahmad who recently purchased 2 kg of mutton from Lalbazar Srinagar told KINS.

Another resident of Bemina who had managed to buy meat from downtown area of Srinagar said that he purchased meat at ₹700 per kg.
However justifying high prices of mutton, traders said that they are compelled to purchase locally reared animals, which are usually costlier than the stock coming from other states.

Since the lockdown is in place, Kashmir is facing severe shortage of mutton due to the lack of supply that used to come from Punjab, Haryana and New Delhi.

“We are finding it extremely difficult to source livestock. With much difficulty, we have been able to get few sheep locally just to keep the business alive,” revealed the trader.
He said that locally reared animals are usually costlier than the stock coming from other states.

Another dealer said that shopkeepers are somehow arranging sheep through their contacts. “Retail rates have increased for obvious reasons as they are buying livestock at a higher price. Moreover, only a few retailers get local supply, which too is not smooth because of lockdown,” the dealer said.

One of the Mutton sellers here in Qamarwari known for quality mutton has never opened his shop for business since the lockdown. “In normal situation we slaughter about 5 to 10 sheep. But with the non-availability of mutton and keeping in mind the lockdown, we did not open our shop,” he said.

Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association General Secretary, Mehraj-ud- Din however told KINS that it was wrong to sell meet on higher prices. “Yes we have also received complaints that some of the mutton retailers are selling meat on higher prices. It is illegal and wrong, I urge them not to indulge in such wrongdoings,” he said.

He however said that the department has fixed rate in 2016 and till date they have not reviewed the rate. He urged the government to fix the fresh rates for mutton.

The General Secretary said that dozens of mutton dealers and meat sellers are facing huge losses. “We were yet to recover the losses inflicted on us by long shutdown due to roll back of Article 370. Now the pandemic has come again as our biggest enemy,” he maintained.

Director Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) Bashir Ahmad told KINS that they will take strict action against the offenders. “If anybody is found selling meat on exorbitant rates, we will lodge FIR against him. Let people come to us with the complaints we will take action and even put the offenders in the jail,” he maintained. (KINS)

Srinagar: Government started lab testing facilities for Covid-19 suspects at JVC SKIMS Bemina in Srinagar city on Tuesday.

Confirming it, Principal JVC SKIMS Bemina Dr Reyaz Untoo told KNT that the testing lab was thrown open by Director SKIMS, Soura Dr AG Ahangar. He said it will be third testing facility in Kashmir Valley.
Besides, Director SKIMS, District Development Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdary and others were also present on the occasion.
There are over 100 Covid-19 patients admitted at JVC Hospital.

“The testing lab was created to deal with the Coronavirus situation,” Dr Untoo said.

District Development Commissioner Srinagar visited the hospital established for suspected and confirmed coronavirus cases. He directed the officials to put in their best efforts to prevent the spread of the virus and take good care of the patients. (KNT)

Jr Doc was on frontline of treating pandemic affected patients

Baramulla: A junior resident doctor posted in Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla was tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, officials said.

The junior resident doctor at Baramulla becomes the first doctor in the Valley, who has been tested positive so far.

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a junior doctor posted at GMC Baramulla was tested positive after he came in contact with positive patient.

He said that all his contacts have been traced and they have been also put under quarantine.

Confirming the development, Medical Superintendent, GMC Baramulla, Dr. Syed Masood Bukhari said that a junior resident doctor has been tested positive for COVID-19.

He said that around 18 contacts of the doctor have been put under quarantine at GMC Baramulla. “The doctor has also been kept under isolation at GMC,” he said — (KNO)

Efforts on to nab burglars: Police

Srinagar: Police have registered a formal case and constituted a team to nab the burglars who looted expensive shawls and cash from a store here in old Srinagar city on Monday late night.

Police sources told KNT that police station Safakadal received a complaint in which the complainant claimed that during the intervening night unknown burglars entered in his Pashmina Store through a window and besides cash Rs 2.5 lakh, they also stole expensive Kani Shawls worth lakhs.

A police official confirmed this and identified the complainant as Sirajuddin Wani son of Ghulam Mohiuddin, a resident of Narwara Eidgah.

The pashmina store is located inside the residential house of the victim.

“Besides Kani Shawls, the burglars also stole Pashmina, and Ruffel Shawls.”

The official said that a case has been registered and a team constituted to nab the burglars. “We visited the spot and are putting all efforts to nab the thieves,” he said. (KNT)

Another petition seeks 4G restoration barring areas with ‘security concerns’

New Delhi: Hearing two petitions seeking restoration of high-speed 4G internet in J&K, the Supreme Court Monday refused the government’s request for longer time to file a response and directed it to file individual reports in two petitions by Sunday, April 26.

A bench comprising Justices NV Ramana, R. Subhash Reddy and B.R. Gavai directed the Centre, represented by Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta and Attorney General (AG) KK Venugopal, to file their response on each of the petitions by Sunday. The matter was adjourned to Monday, April 27.

There are two petitions filed in the apex court seeking restoration of high-speed internet in J&K.
One of them has been filed by Private Schools Association Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) and another by an organisation called Foundation of Media Professionals (FMP).

While PSAJK is majorly concerned about how education is impacted due to the suspension of 4G internet, the FMP petition has challenged the government order restricting internet speed for being violative of Articles 14, 19, 21, and 21A of the Constitution of India.

Advocate Charu Ambwani and Soayib Quereshi appeared on behalf of PSAJK.

Ambwani submitted that more than 27 lakh students are unable to have access to education to which the Solicitor General (SG) questioned “whether all students have laptops”.

Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for FMP, said that not having 4G impacted three aspects: health, ailments and education.

She added that one could not consult a doctor with connectivity issues at large. “Can’t have online classes without 4G” stated Ahmadi.

At this juncture, AG pointed out that there is an ongoing issue of militancy in Jammu & Kashmir “which cannot be overlooked.”

The AG told the apex court that “there are serious issues in J&K and it’s a question of national security.”

“Recently a militant was killed and 500 people showed up for his funeral. SG sought more time to file affidavit,” news agency ANI reported the AG saying.

In light of this, Ahmadi contended that regarding the issue of national security in J&K, in areas where there is such a concern, connectivity could be restricted.

“However, the internet restrictions should not be extended to entire state,” she added.

The Supreme Court observed that the matter was of grave importance and refused the request of the government for a longer time to file response.

The bench directed the matter to be listed next week.

On April 9, the apex court had issued a notice on the petition filed FMP to the standing counsel of J&K via email, returnable within a week.

The Central government had imposed a complete communications blackout in the erstwhile state of J&K in August 2019, right after abrogation of Article 370. Five months later in January 2020, on the basis of a Supreme Court order which found Internet shutdown illegal, the services were partially restored, only at 2G speed for mobile users.

The Supreme Court had observed that indefinite suspension of internet is not permissible and restrictions on internet have to follow the principles of proportionality under Article 19(2).
The direction from the apex court on Tuesday come days after the J&K High Court on Friday asked the government to submit a report regarding lack of “efficient” internet facility in J&K and Ladakh by April 27.

The decision was made following Public Interest Litigations related to battling Covid-19 in the Union Territories. Hearing the PILs through video conferencing owing to the current situation, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Geeta Mittal and Rajesh Oswal directed, in regard to the matter related to the lack of “efficient” internet facility, directed the Secretary, Home Department of J&K and Ladakh to file the report on the same by the next date of hearing on April 27.

On April 15, the government extended the ban till April 27 citing that it “did not hinder” Covid-19 control measures. The region has faced a ban on 4G internet service for more than 250 days since August 5 last year after the abrogation of Article 370.

(With inputs from Livelaw.in)

Srinagar: Body of a 50-year old employee of Jammu and Kashmir High Court was found dead in Qamarwari area of Srinagar city on Tuesday.

Reports reaching GNS said that some locals spotted the body lying at PDD Quarter near Police Colony in Qamarwari area and informed concerned police station about it.

Immediately, a police team led by SHO Parimpora and DO Qamarwari reached the spot and taken the body to nearby hospital for medico legal formalities, they said.

Confirming it, a police officer identified the deceased as Abdul Gani Lone (50) son of Mohd Shaban Lone, a resident of Doda district.

Lone, was working as record assistant in Jammu and Kashmir High Court, the officer said.

He said that a case under section 174 CrPc has been registered and further investigations taken up. (GNS)

Srinagar: The low speed internet in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is taking a heavy toll on the academics of students as they are not able to download videos and login to online classes due to low internet speed.

Even though government has issued guidelines to education department for arranging online classes for all students amid Covid-19 lockdown but the low speed internet is taking a heavy toll on the academics of students here.

The government has restricted the internet speed to 2G citing security issues for restoring 4G internet speed in the union territory. “It is almost impossible to study and take online classes with such low speed when you cannot even download a document for hours, and with video chats it is a futile exercise altogether. At times we are not able to even login to online classes due to low speed internet here,” said Judat, a class 8th student from Anantnag.

No matter what type of lockdown Kashmiris are in, education becomes the first causality here and it continues to suffer even in these testing times. Though online classes were a good initiative but in JK it is a futile exercise as the internet speed has been restricted to 2G only, making students suffer a lot.

“I face a lot of difficulty while logging in to the online class and when I manage to do so, the video quality is so low and due to buffering I am not able to grasp anything. With 2G speed online classes are a futile exercise,” Judat told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

Many students have left video classes due to poor connectivity and now they just take the material posted in WhatsApp groups and try to study themselves.

Fozaan Fayaz, a class 11th student from HMT, Srinagar said that he doesn’t understand anything through video classes due to poor video quality and he now studies from the study materiel posted in WhatsApp groups by his teachers.

Some students studying outside the valley who have returned home have to face a challenging situation as their classmates from outside the valley are taking their classes with high speed internet.

Talking to KNO, Wamik Aijaz, a resident of Anantnag, pursuing BBA at university of Huddersfield, UK is worried as he has to appear in online examination at the end of this month.

“I have to submit assignments and I am more worried about my examinations, it is impossible to appear in examinations with such a pathetic speed,” he said—(KNO)

Srinagar: Administration has directed officials to follow proper SOP to contain COVID-19 and asked them to ensure 100 percent distribution of masks in Red Zone areas.

As per the official documents accessed by news agency KINS, government has directed officials to follow SOP and proper guidelines for the containment policy of COVID-19 in Red Zone areas of Kashmir valley.

“Director Rural Development Department shall ensure 100 percent distribution of masks through the PRIs, VLWs etc to every household of Red Zone in collaboration with the concerned district administrators and teams constituted for the purpose preferable on the same day, the house to house survey as conducted by the teams,” the document reads.

Director Rural Development Department has been directed to ensure immediate cleanliness sanitization drive of the notified Red Zones subsequent cleanliness drives after every week.

It says, “Director Urban Local Bodies shall conduct the rigorous fumigation cleanliness drive in all the Red Zone areas coming under his purview.

Besides they shall conduct the fumigation of all the rural red zones areas for which Director RDD shall provide him all logistics and necessary support.”

Government has decided that all entry and exit to the zone would be with red zone passes and proper fumigation of vehicles, safety of personnel and safety tunnels.

“The entire Red Zone will be under surveillance and the people will be contacted periodically for rechecking for symptoms. There would be a 100% survey and screening of all persons in the red zone. The surveillance procedure has already been issued and will be reissued with improvements,” the documents read.

“All common/public places within the red zone will be fumigated twice a day. All ambulances on duty / supply vehicles entering / leaving the red zone shall be fumigated. Extra cleanliness drives all around shall be carried. Departments like PDD and PHE will ensure regular electricity and water supply respectively to the red zone. They will activate help lines to address any complaints on priority- or common control room as above can be used. Banking arrangements such a mobile ATM or any other facilitation will be ensured,” the document says.

“In-case of any Emergency, whether medical or otherwise, permission for movement will be provided by concerned SDM / Tehsildar. A medical team shall be placed in the adjoining buffer zone to cater to any medical emergency that might arise,” it reads.(KINS)